Depression screening quiz

Take our depression screening quiz to see if you have symptoms of depression. You should consider seeing your doctor or a qualified mental health professional if you have experienced several of these symptoms for two weeks or more, especially if these problems are getting in the way of your life.

Video: One woman's experience with depression

Who gets depressed and why?

Anyone can get depression. In fact, more than 1 in 6 adults will have depression at some point in their lives. Some people are more likely to become depressed than others, including older adults, smokers, people with medical problems, and people who are stressed.

Many things can increase a person's chance of getting depressed. Everyone is different, but here are some common things that can lead to depression:

People can also be more likely to have depression if some of their blood relatives have had depression.

Depression and aging

Important life changes that happen as we get older may cause feelings of uneasiness, stress, and sadness. For example, the death of loved ones, moving from work into retirement, or dealing with a serious illness can understandably leave people feeling sad or anxious. Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish grief from depression. Many older adults can regain their emotional balance, but for others, the sadness may continue and they benefit from help.

It's important to remember that while depression is common among older adults, it is not a normal part of aging. In fact, studies show that most older adults feel satisfied with their lives, even if they have health problems. When an older adult does suffer from depression, it may be missed because the person may be less willing to talk about feelings, or they may show different, less obvious symptoms, and doctors may be less likely to suspect or spot it.

Getting help

You may want to start with your family doctor or a mental health professional.

Treatment options include:

Psychotherapy/counseling

Antidepressant drugs

Support groups to provide new coping skills

Most older adults see an improvement in their symptoms when they are treated with antidepressant medications, counseling, or a combination of both. Treatment is often covered by insurance.

NOTE: This information is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis of major depression. It cannot take the place of seeing a mental health professional. It is common for people who are feeling bad to think about hurting themselves or dying. If you are having self-destructive thoughts, or someone you know mentions thinking this way, please seek immediate help. Call 1−800−273−TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center, or dial 911. 1−800−273−TALK is available 24/7 to provide free‚ private help to people in crisis. (This is the number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.)